Replace those fancy kitchen gadgets from the catalogs with these way less expensive options

Ah, kitchen gadgets. There's nothing quite like getting a kitchen supply catalog in the mail, flipping through it and realizing almost immediately that there are two types of things within its pages: things you will never be able to afford, and things you could afford but would almost certainly never use.

Personally, I'm a pretty big fan of kitchen catalogs. Really, I'm a fan of all catalogs — be they kitchenware or office supply tomes — because I like to dream of a day when I can afford and need industrial-size reams of printer paper or copper-bottomed stockpots. I could spend my entire paycheck on kitchen gadgets alone and have already built an unhealthy collection of measuring cups.

But there are some items even I must draw the line on. These are things that are marketed only to the rich and foolish among us. People of America, hear me! You do not need a cheese curler. No one needs a cheese curler, OK? Here's a whole bunch of other junk you don't need and what you can use instead.

1. This nutmeg grinder, Williams-Sonoma, $30

This falls under the "buy it once, use it basically never" category. Who likes nutmeg this much? More to the point, where does one purchase whole nutmeg? Never mind, don't tell me; nutmeg is gross, and I'd rather not know.

2. These meatball tongs, Williams-Sonoma, $13

These tongs were designed to make little round meatballs without getting raw meat under your fingernails. I kind of get it. But unless you're making meatballs every day and are banned from the soap store, it's still not worth it.

3. This spill stopper, Williams-Sonoma, $25

Don't you hate it when the water you start boiling for your pasta bubbles over the top of your pasta pot and falls onto the stove and later evaporates, leaving no trace that it ever happened? It makes you want to run out and get a fancy pot cover, doesn't it?

5. This thing for ice balls, Brookstone, $400

This ice ball maker is supposed to keep your drinks cold without diluting them too quickly. Personally, I'm a huge fan of just using regular ice cubes and slamming back my drinks before those ice cubes melt, but I'm an uncivilized mess.

Instead, try the edge of a bowl, $0

9. An immersion circulator of any kind, Sur La Table, $200

This is a tool that people who call themselves foodies have been convinced they need ever since they figured out what sous vide was. This tool basically does two things: It heats up some water and churns it around. It's for more evenly cooked soft-boiled eggs or whatever.

11. A magical butter knife, Sur La Table, $20

Do you hate it when your cold butter won't go on your warm toast? Me too. That's why, once upon a time, I Googled "can I keep butter out of the fridge," and then didn't spend 20 bucks on a knife that accomplishes the same thing a room temperature countertop does.